New boy Scharner lights up JJB

Wigan 1 Arsenal 0

It was a night to remember for debut boy Paul Scharner.

The recent £2.5 million (€3.6 million) buy from Brann Bergen scored the only goal of this semi-final first leg that many will recall for a power cut early in the second half, resulting in the JJB Stadium being plunged into darkness and the game held up for 14 minutes.

Wigan playing in their first major semi-final, are now just 90 minutes away from completing a remarkable journey to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for next month’s final.

But manager Paul Jewell will emphasise to his players they are from home and dry as Highbury beckons for the return in a fortnight’s time.

Yet it is credit to Jewell for paying the much-maligned competition due respect as he opted to field his strongest line-up.

With the exception of left-back Leighton Baines, out with a hamstring injury, and striker Henri Camara on African Nations’ Cup duty, Jewell clearly sensed an opportunity to make further history.

In stark contrast, Arsene Wenger opted to remain loyal to those players who had carried Arsenal to this stage, albeit with this tournament also fourth on his list of priorities. Just three players - Fredrik Ljungberg, Pascal Cygan and Gilberto Silva - survived from Arsenal’s thrilling 3-2 Premiership win over Wigan at the JJB Stadium two months ago.

But given the line-ups, there was a sense among the Wigan players the Gunners were there for the taking.

Yet it was Arsenal who had the first chance in the eighth minute, when Mathieu Flamini played through Ljungberg. The Swede held off Steve McMillan, but skied his shot over crossbar.

Jewell’s side replied with a wide glancing header from Jason Roberts eight minutes later before suffering serious injury woes.

In the space of 11 minutes Irish striker David Connolly limped off with a hamstring injury, while winger Lee McCulloch suffered a groin strain that also resulted in an early exit.

McCulloch’s departure resulted in the arrival of Scharner, the Austria international sporting blue and white stripes shaved into his hair.

Nine minutes into the second half the lights went out due to a power cut in the Wigan area.

Referee Howard Webb escorted the players back to their dressing rooms for a second interval before restarting 14 minutes later.

Unfortunately, the game rarely sparked into life after that but for a moment to savour for Scharner.

With Wigan on the front foot, they capitalised in the 79th minute as Gary Teale delivered a cross to the far post following a short throw from Pascal Chimbonda, and up rose Scharner to power home a header from inside the six-yard box.

Wigan have a new hero in town.

WIGAN: Pollitt, Chimbonda, De Zeeuw, Henchoz, McMillan, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, McCulloch (Scharner 33), Roberts, Connolly (Johansson 22).

ARSENAL: Almunia, Gilbert (Larsson 75), Senderos, Djourou, Cygan, Ljungberg, Flamini, Silva, Hleb, Owusu-Abeyie (Lupoli 72), Reyes (Fabregas 72).

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).